Term guide for location metadata reporting format
Below we list each element that can be found in ESS-DIVE's location metadata reporting format templates. We provide the name of each element, whether that element is required or optional, a brief definition, formatting requirements, and an example.
metadata_element
Submission_Contact_Name
requirement_level
required
definition
Name of contact person for locations
format
Free text
example
Robert Crystal-Ornelas
metadata_element
Submission_Contact_Email
requirement_level
required
definition
Email of contact person for locations
format
Free text
example
rcrystalornelas@lbl.gov
metadata_element
Location_ID
requirement_level
required
definition
An identifier that uniquely identifies the point location coordinates. The identifier can be globally unique or assigned by a project and is unique
format
Free text
example
AC-423
metadata_element
Description
requirement_level
required
definition
Text description of location
format
Free text
example
Hill slope that is seasonally covered in tall grasses. Soil samples are routinely collected in this location.
metadata_element
Latitude
requirement_level
required
definition
Latitude for point location provided in decimal degrees
format
numeric
example
37.874921
metadata_element
Longitude
requirement_level
required
definition
Longitude for point location provided in decimal degrees
format
numeric
example
-122.252898
metadata_element
Elevation
requirement_level
recommended
definition
Elevation at point with respect to earth's surface given as a heigh or depth relative to ground surface
format
numeric
example
396.24
metadata_element
Location_Alias
requirement_level
optional
definition
Other names used for this location
format
Free text
example
LBNL-hillslope
metadata_element
Parent_Location_ID
requirement_level
optional
definition
Location_ID for any hierarchically related locations
format
Free text
example
AC-400
metadata_element
Projection
requirement_level
optional
definition
Indicate the datum used for mapping you location (e.g., WGS84 or NAD83)
format
Free text
example
WGS84
metadata_element
Measurement_Method
requirement_level
optional
definition
Instrument used to measure latitude and longitude at point location
format
Free text
example
Garmin eTrex 10
metadata_element
UTC_Offset
requirement_level
optional
definition
Offset of location's time zone relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
format
Numeric
example
-7
metadata_element
Location_DateTime_Start
requirement_level
optional
definition
Date and time when location was first used in research
format
YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS
example
2019-03-01 9:00:01
metadata_element
Location_Date_End
requirement_level
optional
definition
Date when location was last used in research
format
YYYY-MM-DD
example
2020-01-23
metadata_element
Institution
requirement_level
optional
definition
Institution affiliated with location
format
Free text
example
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
metadata_element
Country
requirement_level
optional
definition
Country where location is sited
format
Free text
example
United States of America
metadata_element
Notes
requirement_level
optional
definition
Notes that can provide additional context to location
format
Free text
example
Soil sampling has been discontinued at this location, but were taken quarterly when in use.